I didn’t call Jaime the next day—actually, I realized I didn’t even have her number—and didn’t knock on her door, either. She’d said she needed time to think about things, and I wanted her to have it.
On Saturday, after spending the morning at the gym, I used the afternoon to sift through a few more boxes in my mother’s attic, forcing myself to fill a few garbage bags. I didn’t find any photographs, but I did find her old recipe box, which I took with me. On my way home, I hit the grocery store and bought what I’d need to make a couple of her traditional Polish dishes.
After unloading the groceries, I stood still for a moment in the kitchen, listening for Jaime upstairs. I heard nothing and figured maybe she was out.
Or else she’s hiding because you scared her.
I frowned, admitting to myself that could be the case. I hadn’t gone easy on her last night. She’d said it wasn’t too much, and she didn’t strike me as the kind of woman who held her tongue when she had something to say, but I was a little uneasy about it anyway.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and the screen showed a text from Alex.
Meet for a drink?
Sure, I replied.
We’re near Eastern Market looking at some property. Detroit City Distillery in 45?
Sounds good.
I changed my shirt and shoes, checked my hair, and headed out. In the front hall I paused, nearly going up to knock on Jaime’s door. If she was home, maybe she’d like to join us. It would be fun to hang out together again.
But I decided against it.
The next move felt like hers.
Alex greeted me with a hug, Nolan with a handshake, and I forced them to take a quick selfie with me, which I posted with the caption Good friends, good whiskey #DetroitCityDistillery. Actually Nolan was all for the pic, but Alex tried desperately to get out of posing, which reminded me of Jaime. They even looked alike—same fair skin, green eyes, and dark hair, although Alex was tall and thin with more angular features, whereas Jaime was petite and curvy.
Nolan, also tall and dark, wore tortoiseshell glasses and had a very short, neatly trimmed beard. I’d met him only once before, but I remembered him as outgoing, smart, and completely devoted to Alex. I thought he was a therapist of some kind, but I couldn’t remember for sure.
“So how’s it going at the house?” Alex asked once I’d ordered a drink. “Jaime treating you OK?”
“She’s been great.”
“Good.” Alex looked relieved. “I was worried she was going to give you the ice princess routine.”
“Oh, she tried,” I said, laughing, “but she warmed up eventually.” And then she boiled right over. “We actually had dinner together last night.”
Alex’s jaw dropped. “No way. Really?”
“Yeah. With some friends of hers.”
“Wow.” He picked up his drink. “After what she said to me the day you moved in, I thought she’d avoid you like the plague.”
This should be good. “What’d she say?”
“Something along the lines of keeping her distance.”
I shrugged. “What can I say, she can’t resist me. Never could.”
“So what’s the history there?” Nolan asked, one eyebrow arched.
Alex and I exchanged a look. “Jaime had a crush on Quinn,” he said. “Let’s leave it at that.”
“And does she still?” Nolan picked up his glass.
“She might,” I hedged. Joking around was one thing, but I didn’t want to sell her out. “We had a lot of fun last night. I’d like to take her out again—if that’s cool with you, Alex.” The server arrived with my drink, and I thanked him.
“I’m not the one you have to worry about.” Alex sat back. “I’m totally cool with it, but Jaime hates dating.”
I nodded. “She mentioned that. Several times.”
“She’s just stubborn,” Nolan said, adjusting his glasses. “I know she loves her independence, but I think she needs someone who can call her on her bullshit.”
“Oh?” I sipped my Old Fashioned.
“Totally.”
“Nolan thinks he has Jaime all figured out,” Alex said dryly.
“I do,” he insisted. “I’ve got a bunch of friends and patients just like her—scared to get hurt, so they refuse to get close to anyone.”
“I’m not sure that’s it with her,” I confided. “She said she’s never really had a broken heart.”
“Exactly. So why fix what isn’t broken?” Nolan pressed. “She’s gone all this time without being hurt, while probably watching women around her be disappointed by men they care about. Why should she bother?”
“Maybe,” I said, glancing at Alex. “She did mention that your parents’ marriage isn’t her ideal.”
Alex snorted, which totally reminded me of Jaime. “It’s not anyone’s ideal. But hey, it works for them, I suppose. They’ve been together thirty years.”
“Has she ever mentioned wanting a family?” I asked, stirring the ice cubes around in my drink.
“Not that I can think of,” Alex said. “But when Nolan and I have talked about adopting, she’s supportive. I don’t think she feels a family isn’t a worthy goal; it’s just romantic relationships she struggles with. I do agree with Nolan on one thing, though—I think fear plays a bigger role than she’d ever admit, but I also think she just enjoys being unreachable sometimes. She’s my sister and I love her, but I think she gets off on being so cold.”